Researchers from Osaka University have teamed up with the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR) to develop a minimalist humanoid robot that recreates the physical presence of a remote user.

Named "Telenoid R1," the teleoperated communication robot measures 80 centimeters (31 in) tall and weighs 5 kilograms (11 lbs). The portable machine features a soft silicone body that is pleasant to the touch, and it uses 9 actuators to move its eyes, mouth, head and rudimentary limbs.

Data is transmitted between the user and robot via Internet connection

The Telenoid R1 robot is designed to add an element of realism to long-distance communication by recreating the physical presence of the remote user. The robot's actions mirror those of the remote user, whose movements are monitored by real-time face tracking software on the user's computer. Users can also transmit their voice through the robot's embedded speakers.

Telenoid R1 with Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro (Osaka University)

The Telenoid R1 is endowed with only the most basic human features -- just enough to recreate the physical presence of the remote user, according to robot's creators. The robot's androgynous and ageless look makes it suitable for a wide range of users, whether they are male, female, young or old.

English lessons can be conducted via the Telenoid R1 robot

At the unveiling in Osaka on August 1, the developers announced plans to begin selling two versions of the minimalist humanoid in October. The high-end model will be priced at about 3 million yen ($35,000), and a cheaper model will be available for about 700,000 yen ($8,000).

48 Comments

Karasu

icarus

Exactly what was on my mind when I saw this! It looks like it's crucified or something. It's a good concept but...NO. Just imagine its lifeless face at night when not in use. I could cover it with a blanket but I'd still know it's there.

Jake

gero2006

It is an emergency but all the same let's be clear about this. You don't want a 'sherpa' (Tibetan mountain guide); you do want a 'shirpa'? It's just that according to the Urban Dictionary "A shirpa (or a robert) is a form of sexual intercourse in which a male thrusts his penis in an obese womans/mans folds of fat for stimulation." Oka-a-a-a-a-y [long pause to catch breath]. At least now I can understand the bizarre design values of this robot (or is that robert)... Beauty (or stimulation) is all a matter of taste isn't it? Weird, nasty, sick... I'm sorry I have to leave the room to vomit.

Shasta

gero2006

Would you really want it to look like you? Would you really want to look like it? I mean even remotely like it; even remotely have the same 'skin' it has? You should be posting on here saying 'Thank You, Lord! Amen, there is a God!'

Rimbo

Capslock

LoopsFroot

VRDAVE

Eraserhead meets Freaks. I have the feeling it will loll around for a while just to catch you off-guard and then suddenly jam its way into one of your orafaces, aattach and reprodce.... why else would it have been designed that way?

Chrissy

Jake

M

I wonder if Japanese people actually like this kind of stuff, maybe they find it just as creepy as westerners do. In the US we complain about people like Paris Hilton or Tila Tequila making us look bad. For the Japanese maybe it's crazy scientists like Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro.

Koko

Drawing a comparison between Ishiguro and Paris Hilton? Really? The good doctor is certainly not your typical Japanese, and maybe he's a little off his rocker, but he IS a fucking genius. Hardly a national shame! Maybe his work is just too far ahead of its time for the Hollywood-fed American mind to comprehend.

Kokomi

tommyboy2010

Pretty scary stuff here, I can where this is going, 10 yrs (mabey sooner), you will be able to rent one of these and it will look like the man/woman of your dreams, the more they mess with this shit the more human it becomes, but it will never have a soul.....

Dominic

gero2006

Nice video. I thought one of the robots was very lifelike but the other one was very poor. I guess the one on the left was the deluxe version and the one on the right was what you'd get if you were on a budget? 3 million yen ($35,000) is a lot of money but not too much for the 'old man' robot. But the 'Caspar's Ghost' cheaper model for about 700,000 yen ($8,000) is over-priced if you ask me. I assume that if I pay 3 million yen I can get software that will make the 'old guy' robot speak in English? Actually, that's not bad for a 'Grandpa' robot. I wonder if 'he' could do baby-sitting or housework? I wouldn't want 'him' just sitting around talking about having a bad back all the time... I suppose you could download new 'scripts' for 'him' from the internet? And new clothes or hair styles? It would be like having a Barbie doll for adults, except it would be an elderly Ken doll... I think I might be interested. Certainly cheaper than a Filipina maid.

PP

As an enthusiastic (yes, and sometimes obsessive) fan of supernatural horror movies, I’m surely host to at least SOME brain rot. That suspicion was again confirmed last tonight when I discovered – quite by accident – the Telenoid R1 minimalist robot out of Japan (2010). My immediate response upon seeing a photo of this new Japanese robot for the first time was “That thing is creepy as hell; I would not want it in my house – or even to be alone with it.” A normal person would probably not experience such paranoia, especially when it concerns a legless robot.

Kim

Amazing, but why did they make it armless and legless. Not to mention that is has no skin pigmentation, hair, or eyebrows/eyelashes of any kind. Perhaps this is a prototype of some sort I don't know, but if I were paying $8,000-$35,000 for this robot I'd want it to look more humanoid rather than terrifying.